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FUNKE'S VIEW

So close, but no cigar: close ridings aren't always safe target ridings

In the last 20 years, no close seat in a general election remained close in a subsequent byelection. And no close byelection race had ever been a close race in the previous general election. Not one.

By ALICE FUNKE |
Published: Monday, 01/31/2011 12:00 am EST

OTTAWA—The narrow defeat, the one that got away, the squeaker victory—the drama of all these close races is remembered long after election night, and is a big part of the adrenaline rush that feeds political junkies election after election.

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So close, but no cigar: close ridings aren't always safe target ridings

In the last 20 years, no close seat in a general election remained close in a subsequent byelection. And no close byelection race had ever been a close race in the previous general election. Not one.

By ALICE FUNKE | Jan. 31, 2011

OTTAWA—The narrow defeat, the one that got away, the squeaker victory—the drama of all these close races is remembered long after election night, and is a big part of the adrenaline rush that feeds political junkies election after election.

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The Hill Times photo by Jessica Bruno.
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The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright.
Conservative MP and veteran fighter pilot Laurie Hawn and then-chief of defence staff General Walt Natynczyk at the 2011 party.
The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright.
Tory MPs Chris Alexander, Candice Bergen and Bob Dechert.
The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright.
Kenzie Potter, chief of staff to House Speaker Andrew Scheer.
The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay pictured at the 2011 party.

MICHAEL DE ADDER'S TAKE

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